Gifts for the Goth Friend Who Already Owns Everything Black

The problem with buying for goth friends is that the obvious shops sold them everything already. They have the candles. They have the skull mug. They have four versions of the same tarot deck.

What tends to be missing is colour. Not the pastel-and-lavender kind that removes the teeth from everything, but colour that keeps the dark part intact and puts it somewhere unexpected.

Skulls, but they are made of cake

The Last Dessert is a skull cupcake. Strawberry Graveyard is exactly what it sounds like. Both do the thing goth friends usually have to choose between: they are properly morbid and properly bright at the same time.

Available as wall art from 22 euro, as hand-signed 21 x 21 cm prints for 35 euro, or as a 9,90 euro download if you need it tonight.

The mortality one that is not depressing

Until the Lights Go Out is a flamingo skeleton at a birthday party, with cake, balloons and a small painted sign reading "life is a limited edition". It is a memento mori that someone can actually hang in a living room without the room turning into a funeral.

For the one who is mostly tired

Not Today, The Feelings Are Huge shows a black cat lounging on an orange sofa, surrounded by wine, desserts and a box labelled Meltdown Kit. The painting's other name is Professional Feelings Avoider. If your friend has ever cancelled plans by text and then felt relieved, this is the one.

The crown and the crow

Banana Republic is a crow on a banana throne with a skull, a bottle of something and bees. It is the piece for the friend whose aesthetic is less cemetery and more strange little kingdom.

The unicorn that got hit and kept going

Ricochet is a zombie-cute unicorn with an arrow in its arm, still reaching for the stars while a flock of geese gossip about it. It is about the things that hit us and keep going, which is a very goth thought in very pink clothes. The story behind it is here.

Small things that still count

Stickers are 3,90 euro. Phone wallpapers are free, and yes, giving someone a link is a slightly odd present, but it works as a stocking filler alongside something physical.

The Collector's Club at 7,90 euro a month sends a printable and a postcard every month, which suits people who like getting post more than they like accumulating objects.

If they decorate seriously

Send them my gallery wall guide along with the gift. Two or three small pieces hung well beat one large piece hung badly, and it gives them a reason to come back for the rest.

More Christmas gift ideas

All my gift guides live in one place on the gift guide page. For Christmas in particular: pastel goth Christmas gifts, Secret Santa gifts under 20 euro, gifts for cat people and gifts for people with weird humour.